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Clearing Up the Confusion E-Zine Vol 01 Issue 02
------- Clearing Up the Confusion E-Zine -------
Vol 1, Issue 2
Welcome and thank you for joining me for this momentous second issue.
Today we're going to take a look at one of our most valuable tools --
the cell phone. Everyone knows how to make calls, but how can we find
out what else these modern wonders can do to help us be more
effective? Read on!
Greg Peters,
Mar 6, 2007
In This Issue...
1. Article: Make Your Cell Phone Sing
2. Blog Posts
3. Guest Article: 12 Phone Phrases That Payses(tm)
4. Shameless Self-Promotion
5. The Fine Print
1. Article: Make Your Cell Phone Sing
So, you just opened up the box containing your beautiful new cell
phone. You carefully remove all of the plastic wrap and packaging.
You lovingly install the battery and start the charging cycle which
will turn that lifeless hunk of plastic and circuitry into your very
best friend. Then comes the moment you've been waiting for ever since
you brought that baby home...
It's time to read the manual.
OK, so maybe that isn't quite how it works at your office. Maybe,
just maybe, the idea of perusing a document written by techies for
techies doesn't fill you with that special glow of happiness and
contentment. Some people are just weird I guess.
I guess I'm one of them.
Over Christmas I picked up a new cell phone. The old one was still
doing *OK*, but it was starting to show mild signs of obsolescence.
So, I bit the bullet and traded up to an LG enV.
For those who aren't familiar with this particular gadget, it's got
just about everything on it that you could possibly imagine a phone
having and a few that I didn't even think of. The problem with this
much functionality is that it is easy to get lost in just exactly how
to get this modern marvel to do what you want when you want it to do
it.
Recently, in my blog, I lamented the fact that I had no way to move my
contact list from my computer to my cell phone. I looked through the
Verizon site (my service provider) without much luck. The only thing
I could find was a system where I would have to type in each
individual name and number. Not a prospect I wanted to consider.
Then my buddy Al Bogdan told me about the Howard Forums
(howardforums.com). HoFo, as it is referred to by its denizens, is a
user community dedicated to every aspect of the cell phone industry.
The users there post on the vagaries of the various service providers,
do reviews of the latest Bluetooth headsets, and document every tip,
trick and feature of almost every model of phone you could hope to
purchase. I started reading the section devoted to the LG enV and
within about twenty minutes I came across mention of a wonderful piece
of *free* software called BitPIM (bitpim.org) which you can use to
copy information between your cell phone and computer *and* has the
capability to import contact lists and calendars in several standard
formats. Now, I can have a copy of my Google Calendar information
available on my cell phone. Very cool!
Now, I do have one caveat. The Howard Forums are a wild and woolly
place. Not all of the tips and tricks offered are completely legal.
In fact I found one or two posts that pretty much describe methods
which I believe are commonly referred to as "theft of service", though
I'm not a lawyer, so don't take my word on it.
That being said, though, I still recommend that you check it out. You
never know what sort of functionality you might have available to you
sitting in the palm of your hand.
Copyright 2007, Greg Peters
2. Blog Posts
Links to posts on the "Clearing Up the Confusion" Blog from the last
year:
Tuesday, February 27, 2007 -- The Missing "Duh!"
http://clearing-confusion.blogspot.com/2007/02/missing-duh.html
Saturday, December 30, 2006 -- Notable Notes
http://clearing-confusion.blogspot.com/2006/12/notable-notes.html
3. Guest Article
Excerpt from "12 Phone Phrases That Payses(tm)" by Scott Ginsberg
If you control language, you control thought.
If you control thought, you control conversation.
If you control conversation, you control outcomes.
Here's a sample of several Phrases That Payses(tm) to use during your
phone conversations. NOTE: I suggest writing them on sticky notes to
post above your phone:
1. "You don't know me, but..." -- Be honest. Don't pretend to be
someone's best friend, especially the gatekeeper. When you call,
help someone know right away that you are calling as a stranger who
hopes to become a friend.
2. "Consider it done!" -- Three simple words and your customer is
already thinking about a positive future. It's confident. It's
reassuring. It's beautiful. COOL NOTE: in 2004, Gaylord Hotels,
Inc., received industry-wide acclaim for their new PBX system,
appropriately called, "Consider It Done!"
3. "Excuse my annoying typing; I just want to get all this stuff
down!" -- Polite, humorous way to subtlety demonstrate active
listening while on the phone.
4. "Fortunately, I work miracles!" -- When a customer comes to you
with a problem, say this immediately. First of all, it's funny. The
humor will diffuse the customer's anger. Secondly, it's
positive. Lastly, it's reassuring. I recently had a problem with a
vest from Old Navy. When the customer service rep told me she
"worked miracles," I was immediately excited and confident that she
could help me. Interstingly enough, we never found the right
size. But I almost didn't care due to her positive, friendly
response.
5. "Hang on; I want to write this down." -- Great in person, greater
on the phone (since they can't see you.) It's the difference
between showing and telling. This phrase lets them know you're
listening, taking notes, and encourages them to offer more detailed
answers.
To read the rest of this article go to:
http://www.hellomynameisscott.com/articles.aspx?arGUID=09e4ce03-d586-45f2-b67e-acb9c6aefb22
(c)2006 All Rights Reserved.
---------------------------------
Scott Ginsberg, aka "The Nametag Guy," is the author of three books
and a professional speaker who helps people maximize approachability,
become unforgettable and make a name for themselves. To book Scott for
your next association meeting, conference or corporate event, contact
Front Porch Productions at 314/256-1800 or email
scott@hellomynameisscott.com
4. Shameless Self-Promotion
The "Clearing Up the Confusion" E-Zine is a production of Greg Peters,
owner, chief cook, and bottlewasher of Cyber Data Solutions. CDS has
been helping nonprofit and charitable organizations develop their web
presence for more than a decade. Visit us on the Web at
www.cyberdatasolns.com to see how we can help your organization.
5. The Fine Print
Questions:
If you have any questions, concerns or comments regarding the Clearing
Up the Confusion E-zine, please email Greg Peters at:
gpeters@cyberdatasolns.com
This content may be forwarded in full, with copyright and contact
information intact, without specific permission, when used only in a
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original author.
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